Dr David Molden, Director General of ICIMOD, presents Dr Rajiv Shah, USAID Administrator, with the ICIMOD 30th Anniversary book on the occasion of his visit to ICIMOD.Photo: Jitendra Bajracharya/ICIMOD

ICIMOD scientists presented interactive tools that have been developed as a part of the USAID-funded SERVIR Himalaya initiative, which was created to bring NASA’s satellite data together with ICIMOD scientists to develop tools that provide innovative solutions to meet development needs, including:

Land Use and Land Cover Change for Nepal, which can be used to perform vulnerability assessments, food and livelihood security analysis, and to determine Nepal’s reference emissions level to support REDD programmes; and

Glacier and Alpine Hazards to Development and Habitation in the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region.

“ICIMOD has shown how vital satellite information is to monitoring agricultural production, forest fires and responding to droughts and floods. Through partnerships like SERVIR, scientists will be able to use cutting-edge technologies to monitor complex challenges as they happen—helping to save lives and build more resilient communities,” said Dr Shah.

Dr Rajiv Shah, USAID Administrator, watches a demonstration showing how geospatial technology can be used for agricultural monitoring to support food security.Photo: Jitendra Bajracharya/ICIMOD

Dr Rajiv Shah, USAID Administrator, meets with fellow panelists Gagan Thapa, Member of Parliament in Nepal, and Dr David Molden, Director General of ICIMOD, and others prior to a panel discussion at ICIMOD.Photo: Jitendra Bajracharya/ICIMOD

Dr Shah stressed the importance of open and improved access to data, and the need for local ownership and engagement in development decision-making.

“It is hard to fix a problem that you cannot see,” Dr. Shah said, “and by harnessing science and technology, we can put critical information in the hands of the people most affected by natural disasters. At the same time, we can encourage civic participation in the planning and response processes - ensuring that government and citizens are collaborating on ways to create sustainable economic growth in the Hindu Kush region.”

Highlighting the role of science and technology in improving regional cooperation, Dr Molden noted, “Many of the region’s biggest challenges are transboundary in nature. ICIMOD works to provide decision makers across the Hindu Kush Himalayas – from community leaders to policy makers – with evidence-based knowledge and a platform through which they can work together to address these challenges.”